Who is My Neighbor? The Year Thus Far....

by Katie Garman

The Listening theme began in January with the goal to discern more about our remarkable neighbors in Durham by taking time to hear about the hopes, dreams, pain, and joy in our community. 

We’ve hosted several Dinner and Discussions this year. If you missed these, scroll through this blog to find video links and commentary. 

At our first Dinner and Discussion, we heard generally about what it means to actively listen, and our own Stephen Ministers and members shared how often people just need someone to be present with them. Listening doesn’t mean fixing all of someone’s problems, but it can mean joining in a journey together that brings healing. 

At the second Dinner, we listened to news from Urban Ministries about folks in our community who are hungry, and how we can help address hunger in Durham. We heard stories about the people who are turned away at night when there are not enough beds for all in need. 

At the next Dinner and Discussion, we listened to Sam Wells and Marcia Owen talk about being present in Durham for those who have suffered due to violence in our own community, and the power of listening to our neighbors, and being present with them when loved ones have been killed. 

Our Good Neighbor team has listened to neighbors in Durham close to Duke Memorial: Neighbors at Henderson Towers and in the West End Neighborhood. Around Easter-time, Reynolds shared a story about inviting a family in the West End Neighborhood to our Easter service. We heard hope in the way the invitation was received and we heard gladness from those neighbors that our church would welcome them inside our doors. My sense is that we have more to learn from these neighbors in our surrounding areas.

So far this year, I would say that our listening has taught us about the power of being present. Neighbors in our larger community, as well as members of our own congregation, both long for connection with other people and time for fellowship together. 

I hope you will look into your own heart and join us in listening this year. We would love to hear your ideas about ways to respond to what we are learning about our neighbors, and we hope we’ll have a wonderful turnout at the next Dinner and Discussion on June 4^th 6-8 PM when we listen with open hearts to news about Housing and Homelessness in Durham. You can RSVP here. Thank you for all the ways you continue to join the mission here at Duke Memorial. 

-Katie Garman